Announcements
CHARLESBRIDGE ACQUIRES IMAGINE
Looks to Build General Trade Line
Watertown, MA, July 7, 2010—Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Imagine Publishing of New York, a publisher of unique and eclectic books for children and adults.
Imagine was founded in 2009 by the father/son team of Charles and Jeremy Nurnberg. The co-founders will both join Charlesbridge, effective immediately. Charles, a 40 year industry veteran and former CEO of Sterling Publishing, will become Vice President & Publisher of the Imagine imprint. Jeremy, former Vice President Trade & Institutional Sales at Sterling, brings his 15 years of publishing experience to Charlesbridge as Vice President of Sales.
Imagine’s list includes the Peter Yarrow Books imprint in partnership with legendary singer/songwriter and bestselling author Peter Yarrow of the iconic trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Books in this imprint include the current New York Times picture book bestseller Over the Rainbow, with a CD performance by Judy Collins, and the upcoming October 2010 release of The Night Before Christmas, with a CD by Peter, Paul and Mary.
“Our growing success motivated us to seek a publisher that could handle the needs of our expanding list,” said Charles Nurnberg. “Charlesbridge has the full range of promotional and distribution capabilities that Imagine needs. Their publishing strategy reinforces our own philosophy to publish books that stand the test of time.”
Charlesbridge—an independent publisher of children’s fiction and nonfiction—has grown steadily over its twenty-year history. It currently enjoys critical and commercial successes with books such as Sibert Award Honor The Day-Glo Brothers,by Chris Barton; ALA Notable Global Babies, one of many books published in partnership with The Global Fund for Children; and the newly released Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins, named to the Indie Next List.
“Imagine adds an exciting new dimension to our list,” said Charlesbridge Vice President and Associate Publisher Mary Ann Sabia, “while also leading us in a new strategic direction with our first general trade books, including Delicious Diabetic Recipes, the important new Curiosity Guides series, with titles on the human genome and global climate change, and for kids, Neil Sedaka’s Waking Up Is Hard To Do.”
Charlesbridge President Brent Farmer stated, “With the addition of Imagine we significantly increase our list and range. We look forward to enhancing the enduring relationships established over the years with children’s booksellers, wholesalers, librarians, and teachers, and creating new relationships in the general trade arena.”
Charlesbridge begins shipping Imagine Publishing titles immediately from their Massachusetts warehouse. Imagine customers may call Charlesbridge at (800) 225-3214 for questions pertaining to their orders.
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Imagine Publishing Celebrates First New York Times Best-Seller!
Judy Collins’ Children’s Book, Over the Rainbow, Debuts at #10 on June 20, 2010 Children’s Picture Book List
(Tuesday, June 15, 2010) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Peter Yarrow Books, an imprint of Imagine Publishing, Inc., celebrates its first New York Times best-selling book, Over the Rainbow (Peter Yarrow Books, an imprint of Imagine Publishing; Spring 2010; ISBN 13: 978-1-936140-00-8 $17.95; Hardcover, with CD), performed by Judy Collins, with paintings by Eric Puybaret. The book will debut at #10 on the NY Times’ children’s picture book list on Sunday, June 20th.
Charles Nurnberg, President of Imagine Publishing, says, “We knew we had the makings of an important and creative partnership when Peter joined with us, and what better way to celebrate that relationship—and our first best-seller—than with Judy Collins, an international music icon.” Peter Yarrow adds, “Charlie and Jeremy Nurnberg have created a true work of art by combining Judy’s extraordinary rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’ with the brilliant illustrations of Eric Puybaret. I am thrilled to be sharing a partnership with Imagine that continues the tradition of publishing great books of treasured songs written and performed by artists, like Judy Collins, who have helped define the musical landscape of America.” Judy Collins notes, “I was named after Judy Garland, and the song ‘Over the Rainbow’ was recorded a few months before my birth. I am so proud and grateful to Judy Garland and to songwriter Harold Arlen and lyricist E.Y. Harburg for the song—and now the book—that is so dear to my heart.”
The picture book contains an original CD embedded into the jacket, which includes Judy Collins’ extraordinary recording of “Over the Rainbow” as well as two classic folk songs. Over the Rainbow is the second of a children’s series to be released by Peter Yarrow Books and Imagine Publishing that was launched with the publication of The Marvelous Toy, an enthusiastically received book and CD by singer/songwriter Tom Paxton. Coming this holiday season, Imagine Publishing will release an illustrated book with a CD containing Peter, Paul & Mary’s last recording, one of two versions of “The Night Before Christmas.” Peter Yarrow and Noel (Paul) Stookey are dedicating this very special release to Mary Travers, who recorded her part not long before her passing in September of 2009. Early this fall, the Imagine flagship imprint will publish Waking Up Is Hard To Do, a picture book and CD set featuring music icon Neil Sedaka, with new lyrics for kids based on his #1 Billboard chart-topping song, “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.”
Imagine Publishing and its imprints were formed in 2009 by father/son team Charles Nurnberg and Jeremy Nurnberg, with titles covering science & nature, music & art, sports, reference, and the magic of knowledge, among a multitude of subjects. Say the Nurnbergs, “Our publishing philosophy is to inspire, educate and ‘edutain’ the book-buying public.” Currently, they publish 25 books per year.
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To book an interview with Judy Collins or for more information about Over the Rainbow and Peter Yarrow Books/Imagine Publishing, please contact Justin Loeber, Mouth Public Relations, at 212-260-7576 or Justin.Loeber@MouthPublicRelations.com.
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